Innovation and Adoption of Appropriate Technology within Our Classrooms

Rob Wraith, Head of Learning Technology and Digital Learning, NCG

Bio: Rob Wraith is the Head of Learning Technology and Digital Learning at NCG and has been in education since 2008. Rob began his career in education teaching across FE, HE, and Apprenticeships within the School of Computing at Newcastle College. After completing his BSc Hons in computing, he completed his MEd in Education to provide the starting point needed to pursue his passion: to understand, develop, and introduce appropriate and innovative EdTech within education. Using his long-term interest in development and innovation within digital technologies, Rob has been working closely with external companies to support the development of teaching learning and assessment across all NCG colleges. 

Using projectors to display PowerPoints on whiteboards and using Microsoft Teams or Google Classroom to deliver teaching learning and assessment remotely; like many industries in recent years, the education sector has embraced the integration of technology into its approach to learning.

The way in which we all learn today is vastly different from how we used to learn as little as five years ago, and this is not just due to developments in EdTech, it is also due to the requirements and expectations of what is now classed as good teaching practice. I believe in the main that EdTech has changed education for the better, providing more accessible, interactive learning resources and experiences which can lead to better outcomes for our students.

Digital learning is more than what it once was. It can now be anything from sharing and discussing resources in a classroom using technology to interacting with resources in a collaborative Virtual Learning Environment using a smartphone. Interactive and accessible learning has been supported by technological advancements, and these developments have now become more integrated into learning strategies, in a similar way to the way that technology in our everyday life has now become the ‘norm’. Working closely with teachers, there now seems to be an expectation for EdTech to be a key part of the learning experience and that resources should be available at the touch of a button, on any device, at any time.

However, one challenge educators face is achieving the balance between essential face-to-face teaching and the use of digital resources to ensure they are both appropriate and effective. It is important to highlight the need for in-person, face-to-face teaching, because the conversations that take place in a classroom and lead to a unique learning opportunity can’t be replicated using technology.

So, while there is still a significant need for face-to-face delivery as the primary method of learning, the integration of digital learning is needed to enhance the learning experience and provide invaluable benefits to both students and educators, improving learning whilst saving valuable time. What is vitally important is that these digital learning resources are high quality and fit for purpose, to enhance rather than impair teaching, learning, and assessment.

Outside of education, we tend to pick up our smartphone to search for something we’re not sure of and often look for video tutorials to tell us how to do something. We live in a world where everything is in demand and why shouldn’t students expect this level of technology in their education too? If we are to educate the next generation of employees in the most efficient and effective way, we need to provide digital resources that they can access from anywhere, at any time. I’ve been in education since 2008, starting as a lecturer, and I can certainly see where digital resources would have enhanced the learning experience of my own students.

It could be as simple as embedding Edtech into delivery so that students benefit from a visual resource to support their understanding or providing the ability to rewatch lessons. There is an opportunity here for providers to harness their own content along with the resources they have purchased and make these available in the same way. This could provide opportunities to learn new skills outside of their vocational subject, but at the very least, entrusting students with ownership of their own learning could provide young people with a much-needed sense of autonomy and achievement, driving them to do better.

Virtual Reality (VR) headsets are also being used more frequently within the industry to deliver key parts of the job. In areas such as medicine, VR has been used in patient rehabilitation, and within construction, it has been used to visualize designs and models of buildings, demonstrating what they will look like on-site before a brick has been laid.

The adoption of VR within curriculum delivery is also very exciting. Educators strive to create the workforce of the future, and they work closely with industry partners to remain informed and up-to-date with expectations and requirements. Using VR headsets brings an extra dimension to the classroom in more ways than one, where learners can gain knowledge from exposure to safe, interactive, immersive experiences. This exposure is designed to support the development of physical and cognitive skills within specific situations linked to employers’ expectations, ensuring students are prepared for the world of work, not just with their qualifications but with the resources, tools, and experience they will require to succeed.

These advances in technology now present a need for educators to have access to training to develop their own digital skills and lead the way with innovation. There also needs to be a focus on digital skills that need to be part of initial teacher training so they can be introduced to EdTech as early as possible to understand, embrace, and develop digital tools that are fit for purpose.

Despite the current constraints and limitations, it’s an extremely exciting time to be involved in education. While there is more to be done to fully understand the digital resources that are available and how good they can be, they will no doubt provide endless opportunities and possibilities to collaborate, enhance and change the way we deliver education for the better.

EdTech

Construction

Microsoft

Virtual Reality

Cognitive